Lighting unit



Sept. 10, 1940- F. c. WINKLER LIGHTING UNIT Filed Dec. 30, 195' 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 WITNESSES:

' INVENTOR Fre der ic CI Wink /.e n

Sept. 10, 1940. F. c. WINKLER 2,214,600

LIGHTING UNIT Filed Dec. 30, 193' 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 WITNESSES: INVENTOR Patented Sept. 10, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE LIGHTING UNIT of Pennsylvania Application December 30, 1937, Serial No. 182,481

10 Claims.

My invention relates, generally, to lighting units, and more particularly, to lighting units of the suspension type for producing both direct and indirect illumination and which may be termed direct-indirect units.

Heretofore, it has been the usual practice in the lighting of stores and sales rooms in general to utilize common and well known forms of direct and indirect oflice lighting units. It has been found that while units of this type provide good general illumination they do not provide the most suitable illumination for displaying and enhancing the appearance of merchandise on the counters and shelves and at the same time provide adequate general illumination.

A study of this lighting problem has revealed the necessity for using a large amount of direct light, as distinguished from indirect light, in order to bring out the color and sparkle of merchandise. of various kinds and at the same time provide a certain amount of indirect light for general illumination of the room.

It is, therefore, a general object of my invention to provide a lighting unit of the suspension type that is particularly adapted for store lighting and which is of simple and economical construction and eflicient and efiective in operation.

,A more specific object of my invention is the provision of a lighting unit of the above character which produces both direct and indirect illumination in the most effective manner to provide both general and concentrated illumination.

Another object of my invention is to provide a combination direct and indirect lighting unit which produces a broad and flat distribution and a high degree of vertical illumination.

A further object of the invention is to provide a direct-indirect unit in which a louver assembly of translucent material is utilized to shield the light source and inside of the reflector from View at normal angles of sight, to reduce the apparent brightness and. increase the efficiency of the unit.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a louver assembly for reflector basins embasin in such manner that it may be readilyopened and closed or entirely removed from the basin.

These and other objects of the invention will become more apparent when the following detailed description is read in conjunction with. 5 the drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a partially sectionalized elevational view of a lighting unit embodying the invention,

Figs. 2 and 3 are enlarged views of portions of the unit of Fig. 1 showing details of the louver mounting,

Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of a portion of the same unit showing the supporting means for the lower translucent band or ring, a 15 Fig. 5 is a side elevational view of the sup porting clip shown riveted to the lower edge of the basin in Fig. 4,

Fig. 6 is a side elevational view of the removable clip shown in Fig. 4 for supporting the lower ring,

Fig. '7 is a top plan view of the louver assembly,

Fig. 8 is a side elevational view of the louver assembly, and

Fig. 9 is an enlarged view of the reflector as sembly and light source showing the light distribution.

In practicing my invention, the unit may comprise generally a hanger assembly, a direct-indirect reflector assembly and a translucent louver assembly. Any suitable hanger may be used. The reflector assembly preferably comprises an outer reflector shell or basin of opaque material such as aluminum and an inner reflector mounted at the top of the basin. The reflector assembly 35 is supported from the husk element of the hanger and the lamp, also supported by the hanger, extends downwardly into the basin through a top opening. The lower opening in the basin is of larger diameter than the top opening and the 40 louver assembly is mounted therein by means of a hinge so'that itmay be opened and closed to gain access to the interior of the basin. The hinged mounting is such that the louver assembly may be readily removed. The louver assembly preferably comprises a unitary frame member to which a plurality of bands of translucent plastic material are attached in spaced concentric relation.

Referring now tothe drawings in which like parts in the several views are indicated by the same numeral, Fig. 1 is an assembly view of the complete unit of my invention.

The unit comprises generally three parts or assemblies, 'a hanger ill, a reflector assembly ll 55 and a louver assembly l2. The hanger is of the usual construction comprising a ceiling canopy 13, a stem l4, socket l5 and husk It.

In order to provide a unit which will produce both direct and indirect lighting in the most advantageous manner for store lighting, the reflector assembly H may comprise an inverted bowl-shaped basin. or outer reflector I! and an inner reflector l8 mounted at the top thereof as shown. The basin is preferably constructed of aluminum and is provided with both top and bottom openings, the lamp is extending through the top opening as shown. With reference to Fig. 9, it will be observed that the inner and outer reflectors are of different curvature. The portion a of the outside reflector IT is so shaped that it accepts a portion of the bare lamp lumens direction, thus providing a build up of light at wide angles. In other words, the light rays from the portion b of the inner reflector l8 are directed in the same general direction as those from portion a of the outer reflector If.

The greater portion of the bare lamp lumens follow their usual course directly above and below the unit. Thus it is seen that a broad and flat distribution and a high vertical illumination is obtained by this arrangement.

While the reflector assembly ll is'shown as preferably constructed of two reflectors, it is to be understood that it-may be of one piece construction having the same curvatures for the portions 0 and b as shown. The upper reflector I8 is preferably provided with a specular reflecting surface while the lower or outer reflector is provided with a semi-specular or diffusing surface.

In order to obtain what is now believed to be the most effective illumination for store use, the unit should deliver about 25 percent of the bare lamp lumens to the ceiling and about 75 percent downwardly upon the counters, shelves and merchandise displays about the store, although it is to be understood that this ratio may be varied to suit different conditions.

The reflector assembly may be supported from the hanger in any suitable manner such for example as by means of links 22 connecting the reflector basin and husk as shown.

In order to shield the neck of the lamp from view, an upper ring 23 of translucent diffusing material, preferably glass, may be mounted on top of the reflector basin. This ring may be flared outwardly if desired so that it may diffuse suflicient light upon the outside surface of the basin to properly illuminate it. In addition, the ring serves as an ornamental agency for the unit.

The construction of the louver assembly l2 and the manner in which it is mounted within the lower opening of the basin are important features of the present invention. The louver is so constructed and the materials used are such, that it effectively screens the light source and reflector from the eye at normal angles of sight and also offers a minimum amount of interference to the passage of direct light from the lamp.

In this instance the louver assembly l2 comprises a rigid frame 24, preferably of cast construction, and a plurality of concentrically-dis posed rings or bands 25 of translucent material. In order to decrease the apparent brightness and to provide as near perfect diffusion as possible, I

it is preferred to use a translucent plastic material for the louver bands. Heretofore, it has been the usual practice to construct the louver bands of metal or other opaque material. However, it has been found that a translucent material is much more effective and eflicient and presents a much better appearance. The bands 25 may be formed of straight flat strips of material bent into circular form and the ends fastened together by means of an overlapped cemented joint.

The louver bands 25 may be attached to the frame 24 in any suitable manner, however, in this instance there is shown a particular fastening scheme which is easy and economical to use and which effectively holds the bands in their proper position. As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, each of the arms 21 of the frame are provided on their lower sides with a plurality of pairs of spaced bendable clamping members 26 adapted to receive the louver bands. The spacing between the clamping members of each pair is slightly greater than the thickness of the bands so that the tips thereof when forced together-will securely engage the bands. The louver assembly may be assembled by first forming the bands, placing the frame in a suitable jig, placing the bands in position and swaging the clamping members together.

In this instance the frame 24 is of one piece construction having a hub portion 28 to which the equally spaced arms 21 are integrally attached. As many arms 21 may be used as desired, however, it has been found that four arms are suflici'ent to support the louver bands and support the louver assembly within the basin.

This frame may be of die cast construction to reduce its weight and at the same time provide suflicient strength and flexibility and minimum interference to the passage of direct light.

In order to permit ready access to the interior of the basin for relamping and other maintenance purposes, the louver assembly I2 is hinged to the basin in such manner that it may be readily opened and closed or entirely removed. In this instance the louver assembly is mounted upon a plurality of stationary clip members 3| riveted or otherwise secured to the rim of the basin in spaced relation conforming to the spacing of the arms on the louver frame. Each of the clips 3| is providedwith an inwardly extending portion 32 having a slot 33 therein as shown best in Figs. 2 and 3. One of the arms 21 of the louver frame 24 is provided with a hook end portion 34, as shown in Fig. 3, which engages one of the clips 3!. The opposite arm of the frame is provided with a down turned end portion 35 which likewise engages the opening 33 in its associated clip 3|. As shown in Fig. 4, the other two arms 21 of the frame are provided with identical up-turned end portions 36 which likewise engage the slots in their associated clips 3|. These arms are bent upwardly slightly more than the other two arms in order that they will engage the underside of their associated clips 3| and be sprung downward when the louver is in its closed position. The louver frame has suflicient flexibility that the arm 21 carrying the clown turned portion 35 may be sprung sufficiently that it may be raised above its associated clip 3| and snapped within the slot against the pressure exerted by the other two arms. I,

As will be readily understood, this mounting arrangement permits the louver assembly l2 to be readily opened or removed and at the same time holds the louver securely in the desired position sov that it may not accidently become dislodged.

In order to improve the appearance of the unit, a lower band 4|, preferably of translucent glass may be utilized. In order that this band may be readily removed or installed, a plurality of removable clips 42 are utilized to support it from the basin. These clips cooperate with the louver supporting clips 3| and are so constructed that they may be readily snapped into position without the use of tools of any kind.

With reference to Figs. 4, 5 and 6, it will be observed that the clips 42 are provided with bent end portions 43 and 4 4, one of which is disposed to engage the inner edge-of the ring 4| and the other of which is disposed to cooperate with the clip 3|. The clips 42 are also provided with elongated slots 45 which are adapted to engage the transverse slots 46 in the clips 3|. The removable clips 42 may be attached to the basin by inserting the notched end of the clip 3| through the opening 45 when the clip is held in a position at right angles to its normal position and rotating the clip downwardly into its normal position. As will be readily understood, this provides an easy way in which to support the lower ring 4| and enables the clips 42 to be entirely removed when the ring 4| is not used.

In view of the foregoing, it will now be apparent that I have provided a lighting unit which is especially adapted for store lighting in that it produces both direct and indirect illumination in the proper and most effective proportions and thereby combines in one unit all of the desirable features of both an indirect unit and a direct unit. It will also be apparent that the combination of a semi-direct reflector assembly and translucent louver provides a unit* which is capable of delivering a large amount of direct light without objectionable glare as the louver construction is such as to reduce the apparent brightness.

Since certain changes may be made in the above described construction and difierent embodiments of the invention may be made without departing from the spirit thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim as my invention:

1. A lighting unit comprising an inverted bowlshaped reflector basin of opaque material having top and bottom openings, a plurality of inwardly extending clip members attached to the inside of the basin adjacent its lower edge, and a louver assembly hingedly mounted within the bottom opening of the basin, said louver assembly comprising a unitary metallic frame member having a plurality of radially extending arms and a plurality of relatively thin flat bands of translucent material supported by said arms in spaced concentric parallel relation, one of said arms having a hook-shaped end engaging one of said clip members to provide a hinged mounting for the louver assembly and another of said arms detachably engaging another of said clip members to hold said louver assembly in position.

2. A direct-indirect lighting fixture comprising, a hanger, a lamp supported by the hanger, a reflector assembly comprising an inverted bowlshaped basin supported from the hanger, said lamp extending through a top opening of the reflector assembly, a translucent shield mounted at the top of the reflector assembly to shield the neck portion of the lamp from view, a louver for the bottom opening of the reflector assembly comprising a unitary frame member supporting a plurality of spaced concentric bands of translucent material hinged to the lower rim of the reflector assembly and adapted to be opened and closed to gain access to the interior of the reflector assembly, and a flat ring of translucent material mounted underneath the reflector assembly and supported from the lower rim there- 0 3. A direct-indirect lighting fixture comprising, a hanger, a lamp' supported by the hanger, a reflector assembly comprising an inverted bowlshaped basin supported from the hanger, said lamp extending through a top opening of the reflector assembly, a translucent shield mounted at the top of the reflector assembly to shield the neck portion of the lamp from view, a louver for the bottom opening of the reflector assembly comprising a metallic frame supporting a plurality of spaced concentric bands of translucent material hinged to the lower rim of the reflector assembly and adapted to be opened and closed to gain access to the interior of the reflector assembly, a flat ring of translucent material having an inside diameter slightly less than the outside diameter of the lower rim of the reflector assembly, and means for detachably supporting the flat ring member from the reflector assembly.

4. A lighting fixture comprising an inverted bowl-shaped reflector basin having top and bottom openings, a plurality of inwardly extending clip members attached to the inside of the basin adjacent its bottom edge, and a louver assembly mounted within the bottom opening of the basin, said louver assembly comprising a metal frame having a plurality of radially extending arms and a plurality of flat bands of translucent material supported thereby in spaced concentric relation, one of said arms being hinged at its outer end to one of said clip members and another of said arms opposite the first-mentioned arm releasably engaging another of said clip members in locking relation to retain the louver assembly in position, the ends of another pair of said arms being disposed to engage others of said clip members when the louver assembly is moved to its closed position within the bottom opening of the basin to assist in retaining the louver assembly in its closed position.

5. In a lighting unit, in combination, an opaque reflector basin having a relatively small topopening and a relatively large bottom opening, means for supporting the basin, a plurality of inwardly extending clip members attached to the inside of the basin adjacent its bottom edge, a louver assembly comprising a metallic frame having a plurality of radially extending arms and a plurality offlat bands of translucent material supported thereby in spaced concentric relation detachably mounted within the bottom opening of the basin on said clips, a substantially flat ring of trans-. lucent material adapted to be supported beneath the basin, and means detachably engaging said clips for supporting the ring of translucent material.

6. A lighting unit comprising an inverted bowlshaped reflector basin having top and bottom openings, an upwardly extending shield mounted at the top of the reflector to shield the k of a lamp from view, a louver assembly for the bot-, tom opening of the reflector comprising a frame member supporting a plurality of spaced concentric bands of translucent material, said louver assembly being hinged to the lower rim of the reflector basin and adapted to be opened and closed to gain access to the interior thereof, and a generally flat ring-shaped member mounted adjacent the lower rim of the reflector basin and extop and bottom openings, the said lamp extending downwardly through the top opening into the basin, an upwardly extending outwardly flaring translucent shield member mounted at the top of the reflector basin about its top opening and supported by the reflector basin for shielding the neck portion of the said lamp from direct view, and alouver assembly hingedly mounted within the bottom opening of the reflector basin, said louver assembly comprising a frame member provided with a plurality of clamping members and a plurality of relatively thin flat bands of plastic material supported individually in spaced concentric relation by said clamping members.

8. A lighting fixture comprising, a hanger, a

lamp supported by the hanger, a reflector assemv bly comprising an inverted bowl-shaped basin having top and bottom openings, means for supporting the reflector basin from the hanger, said lamp extending through the top opening of the reflector basin into said basin, an upwardly extending shield member mounted at the top of the reflector basin as a separate element and supported freely by the reflector basin to shield the neck portion of the lamp from direct view, and

unitary metallic frame having a plurality of radi- I ally extending arms each provided with a plurality of integral clamping members spaced therealong, and a plurality of bands of relatively thin translucent plastic material attached to the frame in concentric parallel relation by said clamping members, each of said clamping members comprising a pair of protruding bendable members spaced apart to receive the edge of the bands therebetween and bent into clamping engagement therewith.

10. A louver for a lighting unit comprising a unitary cast metallic frame having a ring-shaped central hub portion and a plurality of equally spaced radial arms each being provided with a plurality of integral clamping members spaced along the underside thereof, and a plurality of bands of relatively thin translucent plastic material attached to the frame by said clamping members in concentric parallel relation, said clamping members comprising bendable portions spaced apart to receive the edge of the bands and bent into clamping engagement therewith.

FREDERIC C. WINKLER. 

